Middle East
Gunboat or showboat: Can the Navy truly sustain a long war with Iran?
Trump has reimposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, but to do so, the US will have to concentrate all its deployable ships in one place
July 17, 2026
Trump has reimposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, but to do so, the US will have to concentrate all its deployable ships in one place
Imagine a globe-spanning naval battle with both sides interdicting commerce, a collapse in Asian trade, mounting losses, far worse than the current Iran war
Update: Trump announced a pause on 'Project Freedom' gambit after only two ships gained passage in two days
The U.S.-Israel conflict is not a matter pertinent to NATO for the blindingly obvious reason that Washington is the aggressor and not the victim.
Hegseth says rules of engagement are 'stupid' but leaving survivors to drown violates laws America helped to put in place after World War II
At best, the Navy will receive three troublesome ships that will cost more than $10 billion each before then entire scheme is abandoned
